Is it ok to detox during that time of the month?
by Ask a Healer
Question on women's health and healing:
I am in the fourth day of my period and I would like to begin a 3-day juice detox. Is it wise to detox during that time of the month and, if so, what should I eat after a juice fast?
Healing facilitation response:
Menstruation (sometimes spelled menustration) is a time of cleansing for a woman anyway, and I would think it better to wait on detoxing or a juice fast until that time of the month, which is truly a Sacred time as well, is complete. In addition to being a natural time of cleansing for a woman, that time of the month is regarded by many traditions as a spiritually powerful time for retreat, visioning and prayer.
In these traditions, the time of menustration is called "Moontime" and there is a practice of Moontime Isolation. I myself practiced dedicated moontime isolation for many years, or Moon Lodge as it is also called, and wrote about the benefits this spiritual discipline have brought to my own life, in a free spiritual ebook I offer on this site.
Given the gifts and benefits waiting for women who retreat to nourish and honor the body's time of cleansing and who spend that time in visioning and prayer, I recommend postponing any detox program til after the time of menustration and would, instead make healing and prayer the focus of the menstruation time.
Doing so will better prepare your body for detoxing after that time has passed. In particular, if you have menstruation problems, such as PMS, PMDD, Perimenopause, etc.) it's important to honor the needs of your body for rest and rejuvenation.
Minimizing Juice Fast Discomforts:
To help make a juice fast easier, it's helpful to start tapering off heavy foods a few days in advance.
When ending a juice fast, it's good to start back on solid foods lightly as well. Eating heavy foods right after a juice fast can be a shock to the system so I'd suggest starting with light soups, broths or easy to digest energy drinks for the first day or two following the fast and then add in steamed veggies and then, finally raw fruits, veggies and grains.
Doing a juice fast does NOT mean drinking less water. I'd suggest keeping water intake higher than normal during any type of detox or fast and make sure you are drinking pure water, not tap. Juice is not the same as water and the body doesn't use it the same. You still need water, even when drinking juice all day.
More on juicing during menustration: If you have any type of menstruation problems such as Endometriosis or Dysmenorrhea, I definitely wouldn't try to do a detox or cleanse while menustrating. On the other hand, if you have been diagnosed with Amenorrhea, or the absence of menstruation, and are being adequately treated for that condition AND your doctor sees no reason to forego a juice fast, it might well have a balancing effect and help your body restore it's regular cycle. However, as is stated elsewhere on this site, natural wellness options such as juicing are not be construed as a substitute for any needed medical attention. Self-treatment involves a high degree of self-responsibility and self-monitoring and it's not for everyone.
More on Women's Health Care: Polycystic Ovaries and Breast Disease
More on Detoxing: Healthy Weight Loss Information > Detoxification Questions
Health Care Disclaimer: The information contained in any women's health care / spiritual healing article or material on this site is not intended to take the place of personal medical advice from your health care professional. Any action taken based on the contents found in this or any educational health information is at the sole discretion of the reader. Please consult with your chosen women's health professional on matters relating to menustration, pms, menopause and other women's health concerns. If you are currently under a doctor's care for any health conditions, it is always wise to check with your chosen health practitioner before doing anything different.
